Question of the Day

Did illegal voters swing any congressional races?

Renee Zellweger split from cowboy crooner Kenny Chesney because she wanted to have children but he wanted it to be just the two of them, London’s Daily Mail reported Sunday.

The Oscar-winning actress, 36, cited “fraud” last week when she filed for an annulment from Mr. Chesney, 37, after just four months of marriage.

She was referring to his reluctance to become a dad even though “her biological clock is ticking loudly,” the New York Daily News reported yesterday, citing a story published Sunday in the Daily Mail.

“She is desperate to have children,” reported the Mail, quoting an unnamed woman who identified herself as a friend of Miss Zellweger’s. “Renee’s understanding was that Kenny wanted a family too. It was Kenny who got cold feet,” the friend said.

Miss Zellweger’s court filing raised eyebrows when she cited “fraud” as a reason for the split. Lawyers said spouses sometimes cite “fraud” in divorce or annulment proceedings as a euphemism for a partner who is either homosexual or has sexual issues.

The movie star and the platinum-selling country singer were married May 9 in a romantic ceremony on the beach in the Virgin Islands. It was the first marriage for both. The couple met at a tsunami relief concert in January and recently fought off reports that they had spent just two weeks together since their May wedding. Just a week ago, Miss Zellweger insisted to a reporter that she was “happily married.”

Both sides now

John Lennon’s first wife Cynthia says she and her son were “airbrushed” from the Beatles’ story and wants to set things straight in a book that reveals he once hit her and ruined their marriage with drugs. “I’m a great believer in justice in life, and I think there has to be two sides,” she told Reuters news agency in an interview about her new book “John,” which arrives in bookstores Sept. 27.

The former Beatle and his first wife divorced in 1968 after six years of marriage. The couple had one child, a son Julian, now 42. Mr. Lennon wed his second wife Yoko Ono in 1969, and they remained together until his death in 1980.

On a related note, “Lennon,” a Broadway musical celebrating his life and music, will close Saturday amid poor reviews and dwindling attendance after just 49 performances.

Crowe eyes rugby team

Russell Crowe is a big rugby fan, and now the Oscar-winning actor wants to buy a team.

Mr. Crowe is in negotiations to purchase a club in Australia’s National Rugby League, officials of the targeted South Sydney Rabbitohs said Saturday.

The Sydney club won a long court case to be readmitted to the NRL in 2002 after being cut from topflight competition following the 1999 season.

Negotiations could continue for at least a month, according to Associated Press.

Mr. Crowe, 41, has been charged with assault for reportedly throwing a phone at a New York hotel concierge in June. If convicted, he could lose his right to work in America and could also face up to seven years in prison. His lawyers are seeking a reduction of the charge.

Moss admits drug use

Supermodel Kate Moss acknowledged to the Hennes & Mauritz clothing chain that tabloid allegations about her recent cocaine use are true, an H&M; spokeswoman said.

Miss Moss, who is scheduled to model one of H&M;’s new clothing lines, apologized and promised in writing to abide by a company policy that models be “healthy, wholesome and sound,” company spokeswoman Liv Asarnoj says.